M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: Frankie on May 15, 2008, 04:17:24 PM

Title: Instructions for fan delete mod?
Post by: Frankie on May 15, 2008, 04:17:24 PM
I have read understeers' article regarding the subject matter, but didnīt find it useful.

For that, do you have any links for fan delete mod project which would contain instructions, detailed ones.

Also I do not want to change the thermostat,like in that understeer article, since the car is designed to run in certain engine temperature. I just would like to have the electric fan to be switched on same temperature when the visco would start to run. Also switch in the dash would be nice on track days. You could switch it on after returning to pit.

Any help?
Title: Instructions for fan delete mod?
Post by: mkodama on May 15, 2008, 05:22:34 PM
I'm betting it's a lot more simple than you think.

The fan clutch is held on with a really big bolt, that's it.  The simple way is to get a really big wrench and tap it with a mallet.  Or you could buy a pulley holding tool and use your strength to undo that bolt.  I previously removed the fan clutch on an E46 3-series and the first method didn't work for me, so I ended up making my own pulley holding tool.  Don't forget that the fan clutch bolt is reverse threaded, so turn it clockwise to loosen it.  The fan shroud should just have the typical amount of BMW plastic rivets or metal clips to hold it on, maybe a screw or two.

As for setting up an electric fan, Spal has a complete kit of all the parts you need as well as other companies that make electric fans.  The kit has a sensor that will turn on the fan at either 185F or 195F.  They also have a good diagram and how to wire the setup and include an override switch.
http://www.spalusa.com/fans/automated/tech_sheets/FRH-185FH-195FH.pdf
Title: Instructions for fan delete mod?
Post by: kowalski on May 15, 2008, 10:02:07 PM
look in the DIY section, and try searching. took me about 10 seconds.

http://m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=70&highlight=electric+fan
Title: Instructions for fan delete mod?
Post by: peerless on May 15, 2008, 11:05:37 PM
Some of the electric fans can be expensive. What me and a friend did was go to the junkyard and get one off a GM 3.8L V6. I don't remember the exact model but they used the same fan on just about all configurations. I installed it into a 89 mustang and its keeping it cool just fine. He purchased a thermo switch to switch the fan on based on temperature. It looked like it would fit a E30 radiator just fine. It would fit the M42 just fine with all the room in front of the engine.

I have installed a electric fan in M20 E30 and used the lead from the aux. fan. This allows the fan to come on at the stock low temp setting and allows it to be switched on manually by using the A/C button.

In my own E30 w/ M20 I gutted the A/C and removed the stock aux fan from the condenser and then purchased brackets from the dealer to remount the fan to the frame instead of the condenser. Its wired completely stock and again I have manual control by using the stock A/C button. Even in the hottest 110*F summer days sitting in traffic it will never get all the way to half way with the fan on.

Not sure about the M42, but I think the stock fan has enough poop to get the job done. Although a nicely installed, bitchen new electric fan is appealingly too.
Title: Instructions for fan delete mod?
Post by: tjts1 on May 16, 2008, 12:28:30 AM
The search button is your friend.
http://www.m42club.com/forums/showpost.php?p=27468&postcount=84
Title: Instructions for fan delete mod?
Post by: Frankie on May 16, 2008, 04:32:15 AM
Thank you for hints and search comments...

And for latter ones, I did use seach,  but wrong key words it seems. I used "fan delete mod or just fan delete" I did not found yours...I ALWAYS use search before posting
Title: Instructions for fan delete mod?
Post by: tjts1 on May 16, 2008, 10:09:37 AM
I'm just playing, no hard feelings :p

I don't have a detailed writeup but heres my undetailed synopsis for 'fan mod delete success #1 club!'
Volvo 850/940/960 2 speed fan (high quality JY find FTW!1)
Cut the wires going to the AUX fan in front of the radiator and connect to the big puller volvo fan behind radiator. Now you can get rid of the 10# dead weight AKA the aux fan.
Replace the thermoswitch in the passenger side of the radiator with a colder 80/88c unit from E36/M44.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/PEL_search.cgi?command=show_part_page&please_wait=N&make=POR&model=BE36§ion=ELgage&page=4&bookmark=24&part_number=61-31-8-361-787-M85
This setup will allow you to use the existing relays in the car and it will also work with your AC. The volvo fan is about twice as powerful as your existing AUX fan and the first time you turn it on it might blow a fuse. The solution is to up the fuse by 5a.